Monday, July 28, 2014

Solar Bears Re-Sign Former Vipers Captain Ullrich:

Ullrich finished his first season with the ECHL Orlando Solar Bears collecting (10-goals-25-assists-35-points) in 42 games last season. Ullrich become an unrestricted free agent after the 2012-13 season, after the ownership group of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) Trenton Titans pulled the franchise out of the ECHL. According to a statement from the ECHL, all Titans players signed to ECHL contracts, except those owed as future considerations, are unrestricted free agents. Ullrich signed as a free-agent with the Solar Bears on July, 1st 2013.

Ullrich also spent time in the American Hockey League last season playing with St. Johns, Manchester & Iowa. Ullrich was invited to a pro tryout with the AHL St. John's IceCaps in September before being released on September 30th 2013 returning to Orlando. Ullrich signed a professional tryout agreement with the AHL Manchester Monarchs on November 15th 2013 before being released after playing in three games returned to Orlando before signing a professional tryout agreement (PTO) with the AHL Iowa Wild. After picking up two assists in 9 games with the Wild Ullrich was released on March 14th 2014 finishing the season with the ECHL Orlando Solar Bears.

Ullrich played for three different teams during the 2012-13 season (South Carolina, Tulsa & Trenton). Ullrich started the 2012-13 season with the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) South Carolina Stingrays after signing a contract over the summer. Ullrich left the Stingrays before signing with the Central Hockey League (CHL) Tulsa Oilers on November, 7th 2012. The Stingrays suspended Ullrich after leaving the club but then took Ullrich off suspension before trading the rights of Ullrich to the ECHL Trenton Titans for future considerations on January, 18th 2013. In five games with the Stingrays Ullrich collected 1 goal & 4 assists. The Oilers then suspended and then deleted Ullrich from the clubs roster on January, 17th 2013 after Ullrich left the Oilers for the ECHL Trenton Titans. In 29 games with the Oilers Ullrich collected (7-goals-12-assists-19-points). In 26 games with Trenton Ullrich collected (15-goals-14-assists-29-points).

Ullrich played parts of two years in Vernon (2005-2007). Ullrich left the Vipers during the 2005-06 season before returning to Vernon the following season after a short stint with the WHL Lethbridge Hurricanes. In 103 games with the Vipers Ullrich collected (39-goals-92-assists-131-points).

Orlando, Fla. - The Orlando Solar Bears, ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Minnesota Wild and Toronto Maple Leafs and AHL's Iowa Wild and Toronto Marlies, announced that they have agreed to terms with forwards Mickey Lang, Mike Ullrich, Ian Slater and Alex Gallant, along with defenseman Ben Shutron, for the 2014-15 season.

Lang led the Solar Bears in goals (44) and points (77) while finishing second on the team with 33 assists. His 44 goals led the ECHL while his 77 points were third in the league. Along with being named the ECHL Most Valuable Player he was named to the All-ECHL First Team. He recorded two hat tricks as a Solar Bear, leading Orlando to a 4-3 victory over the Greenville Road Warriors on March 7, and helping the Solar Bears defeat the Evansville IceMen 5-3 on March 27. Lang scored three overtime goals for the Solar Bears last season as well (Feb. 15 vs. Gwinnett, Feb. 23 at Kalamazoo, March 4 at Florida). He was named the ECHL Player of the Week for February 10-16 after scoring eight points (7g-1a) in four games. Lang appeared in five games with the Iowa Wild last season, scoring one goal. The Reno, Nev. native has played in 192 games in his professional career for Orlando, Fort Wayne, Rockford (AHL), Iowa (AHL) and Quad City (CHL), scoring 105 goals and adding 96 assists for 201 points.

Ullrich appeared in 42 games with the Solar Bears last season, posting 35 points (10g-25a). He had two three-point games and recorded multiple points eight times. Ullrich played in 12 games in the AHL with the Manchester Monarchs and Iowa Wild, picking up his first career AHL goal with Manchester. A native of Banff, Alberta, Ullrich has played in 191 games in his professional career, scoring 64 goals and adding 97 assists for 161 points.

Slater collected 14 points (4g-10a) to go along with a team-high 155 penalty minutes in 51 games with the Solar Bears last season. The Satellite Beach, Fla. native split the 2012-13 season between the Trenton Titans and AHL's Adirondack Phantoms, scoring seven goals and four assists along with 147 penalty minutes in 63 games. Prior to turning pro, Slater was the captain of the Western Michigan University Broncos.

Gallant enters his second professional season after leading the Southern Professional Hockey League with 251 penalty minutes in 43 games last season. Gallant played the 2012-13 season with the Summerside Western Capitals of the Maritime Junior A Hockey League where he finished fourth on the team with 106 penalty minutes in 29 games. Hailing from Summerside, Prince Edward Island, Gallant's amateur career also includes a season (2011-12) in the QMJHL with the Prince Edward Island Rocket, totaling 133 penalty minutes in 32 games. He is the younger brother of Brett Gallant, who played four games for the New York Islanders last season.

Shutron was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the fourth round (95th overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He enters his first professional season after skating the last five years (2009-14) for the University of New Brunswick (CIS) where he served as an alternate captain last season. In 101 CIS games, Shutron picked up 56 points on eight goals and 48 assists. He won the CIS University Cup in 2010-11 and was named to the CIS All-Rookie team in 2009-10. Shutron played five seasons (2004-2009) in the OHL for the Kingston Frontenacs and Windsor Spitfires, finishing with 154 points (30g-124a) and 353 penalty minutes in 298 games. The Orleans, Ontario native helped Windsor capture both the OHL Championship and Memorial Cup Championship in 2008-09, won an OHL Championship with Kingston in 2007-08 and played in the CHL Top Prospects Game in 2005-06.

1990 & 1991 Vernon Lakers Inducted Into Okanagan Sports Hall Of Fame

The 1969-70 & 1971-72 Vernon Essos were inducted into the Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame in November 2014

1999 Vernon Vipers Inducted Into BC Hockey Hall Of Fame

The 1999 Vernon Vipers were inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame In July 2016

On December 2nd 2017 the Vernon Vipers honoured the 1956 Vernon Canadians and former Vernon Esso's legend Wayne Dye. The 1956 Vernon Canadians Allen Cup banner along side Wayne Dye's #8 Legends banner were raised to the rafters at Kal Tire Place

Kal Tire Place-Home to the Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame

The Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1982 through the vision of Vernon resident and sports enthusiast, Nick Alexis. With the support of Vernon City Council, Alexis and a dedicated group of volunteers created a series of outdoor exhibits celebrating the region’s dynamic sporting history in Vernon’s Cenotaph Park. That same year, the new organization unveiled its first round of inductees to the Hall of Fame. Several years later, in 2001, the Hall of Fame moved its exhibits into the newly constructed Vernon Multiplex now known as Kal Tire Place.

About Me

I first created this blog in November of 2008. This coming season will be my ninth season doing this blog. I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and have been going to Junior Hockey games in Vernon since I was a young child. I purchased my first set of season tickets in 1990
I have had season tickets for the last 26 years, Since 1990 I have missed 42 home games.
In September of 2009 I missed my first home game since 2002-03 wich my streak of 236 straight Vipers home games came to an end. Ive missed just three Vipers home games since the 1998-1999 season.
I worked with the Vipers back in 2003-04 as colour comentator helping out with a few games over the internet. In 2011 I helped deisgn, create and put together the Vipers new website for the 2011-12 season. I ran and updated the Vipers website for five seasons, keeping all staff bios and pictures updated, adding new game photos, doing a game preview on game days, as well as adding any Vipers news, scores or BCHL news through out the season.
Over the years I have travelled to Victoria, Dauphin & Camrose to watch the Vipers in the RBC Cup. I was also at the 1990 Centennial Cup & 2014 RBC Cup in Vernon.